Ephesians 2:11-12 Commentary PREVIOUS EPHESIANS - CHRIST AND THE CHURCH NEXT Click chart to enlarge Charts from Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission Ephesians 2:11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so- called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands (NASB: Lockman) Greek: Dio mnemoneuete (2PPAM) hoti pote humeis ta ethne en sarki, oi legomenoi (PPPMPN) akrobustia hupo tes legomenes (PPPFSG) peritomes en sarki cheiropoietou, Amplified: Therefore, remember that at one time you were Gentiles (heathens) in the flesh, called Uncircumcision by those who called themselves Circumcision, [itself a mere mark] in the flesh made by human hands. (Amplified Bible - Lockman) NET: Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh – who are called “uncircumcision” by the so-called “circumcision” that is performed on the body by human hands – (NET Bible) NLT: Don't forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders by birth. You were called "the uncircumcised ones" by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. (NLT - Tyndale House) Phillips: Do not lose sight of the fact that you were born "Gentiles", known by those whose bodies were circumcised as "the uncircumcised". (Phillips: Touchstone) Wuest: On this account be remembering that at one time, you, the Gentiles in the flesh, the ones habitually called uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision in the flesh made by hand, (Eerdmans Publishing - used by permission) Young's Literal: Wherefore, remember, that ye were once the nations in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that called Circumcision in the flesh made by hands THEREFORE REMEMBER THAT FORMERLY YOU, THE GENTILES IN THE FLESH: Dio mnemoneuete (2PPAM) hoti pote humeis ta ethne en sarki: Eph 5:8; Deut 5:15; 8:2; 9:7; 15:15; 16:12; Isa 51:1,2; Ezek 16:61-63; 20:43; Ezekiel 36:31; 1Cor 6:11; 12:2; Gal 4:8,9 Ephesians 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Ephesians 2:11-13 Remembering Then, but Now! - Steven Cole Ephesians 2:11-22 Our Biography In Brief - Steven Cole Ephesians 2:11-12 The Unity of the Body, Part 1 - John MacArthur Therefore (for this reason) (1352) (dio) is a term of conclusion which can also be translated "on this account" or "consequently". This charge to remember refers the reader not just to the preceding verses but all the way back to Ephesians 2:1 (And you were dead in your trespasses and sins), because this entire section is a single sentence in the original Greek. W G Blaikie comments on "therefore" noting that "The practical tenor of the apostle’s teaching is indicated by his “wherefores.” He is always gathering up his views into some lesson. They are to “remember” the change between the past and the present—what they were by nature, and what they had become by grace. This is most useful to all, even though the contrast between the two be not so vivid as in the case of Paul and the Ephesians. (The Pulpit Commentary: Ephesians) Expositors agrees noting that "As dio (therefore) indicates, what follows is a personal, ethical application of what has been said; and the application is drawn, not from the immediate preceding sentence, but from the contents of the prior paragraph as a whole. The great things done for them by God’s grace should incline them to think of the past from which they have been delivered. The remembrance of that past will make them more thankful for their present privilege, and more careful to walk in the good works which God has in view for them. (The Expositor's Greek Testament) Pulpit Commentary - The practical tenor of the apostle’s teaching is indicated by his “therefores.” He is always gathering up his views into some lesson. They are to “remember” the change between the past and the present—what they were by nature, and what they had become by grace. This is most useful to all, even though the contrast between the two be not so vivid as in the case of Paul and the Ephesians. The contrast is indicated in various particulars, both of outward condition and of inward privilege and character. First, the old condition. They were “Gentiles in respect of the flesh”—not bearing on their bodies the mark of the Israel of God, therefore not marked out for blessing, not apparently near it. (Ephesians 2 Exposition) John Eadie - lest any feeling of self-satisfaction should spring up within them, they were not to forget their previous state and character. This exercise of memory would deepen their humility, elevate their ideas of Divine grace, and incite them to ardent and continued thankfulness. The apostle honestly refers them to their previous Gentilism. (John Eadie Commentary) S Lewis Johnson writes that… it is never bad for us to take a look back at what we were and what we have become by virtue of the saving work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Never bad to shed a tear or two for the salvation that has come to us. John Newton, who is known for many things, was known also for the fact that he had on his desk a text from the Book of Deuteronomy, chapter 15 verse 15, it stayed on his desk after he had become a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ: “Remember that you were a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee. Therefore…” And then he goes on to speak about the things that have to do with response to the revelation to God. So it is always good to remember the place from which we have come. Therefore: that’s a good thing to apply, too. If you know what it is to be lost, and then to be saved, T“ herefore” remember what you were. It always has a most salutary effect on our Christian life. (Made Nigh by Blood of Christ ) Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits Psalm 103:2-note THE BLESSED DISCIPLINE OF REMEMBERING Remember (3421) (mnemoneuo from mnaomai = remember, call to mind, recall information) means to use the faculty of memory given by God and keep in one’s mind people, things, and circumstances because memory is basis of learning and of motivation for future action. The remembering Paul is calling for is not simply a recalling of certain facts or situations nor simply a mental exercise but involved an meditation on what had happened and an acting upon it as a result. And "remember" (pun intended) that all God's commands include the divine provision of His enabling power supplied by His indwelling Spirit, Who provides not only the power to obey but the desire to obey - see Phil 2:13-note). Mnemoneuo - 21x in 21v - Mt 16:9; Mark 8:18; Luke 17:32; Jn 15:20; 16:4, 21; Acts 20:31, 35; Gal 2:10; Eph 2:11; Col 4:18; 1Th 1:3; 2:9; 2Th 2:5; 2Ti 2:8; Heb 11:15, 22; 13:7; Rev 2:5; 3:3; 18:5. NAS = bearing in mind(1), made mention(1), recall(1), remember(14), remembered(1), remembering(1), remembers(1), thinking(1). Paul uses the present imperative, thus issuing a command to continually remember the dismal spiritual condition you once were in as pagan Gentiles (Eph 2:1-3)! Second-generation Gentile believers, such as is likely the case with many who were reading Paul's epistle might be beginning to forget former abysmal dead spiritual condition outside of Christ. Paul is desirous for these Ephesians to truly apprehend what a tremendous thing it was that they should ever have become Christians, and not just that but that they should be members of the body of Christ Who is their Head! We must keep remembering these great miraculous truths, lest we slip into apathy and leave our first love as Ephesus did in only one generation removed from the readers. John records Christ's woeful words to the church at Ephesus (only some 30+ years later - beware of backsliding beloved!), the Lord Jesus Christ declaring… But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.R emember (present imperative) therefore from where you have fallen, and repent (aorist imperative) and do (aorist imperative) the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you, and will remove your lampstand out of its place-- unless you repent. (Rev 2:4-note, Rev 2:5- note) Comment: The Ephesian church had lost its focus. They had taken their eyes off of Jesus and were now focusing on their works done for His name. This is the essence of idolatry. An important function of festivals, signs, and altars is to help men remember the earlier works of God and the dedications they made - Ge 9:15- 16; Nu 15:39-40; Dt 16:13; Jos. 22:10, 27-28. When was the last time you remembered your salvation experience or better yet remember your former state of utter depravity and desperation outside of Christ? Perhaps now is a good time to pause and recall your "so great a salvation" (Heb 2:3-note). It is excellent "preventative medicine" for your soul. Nothing inspires gratitude more in a saved sinner than a look back to the pit from which he or she has been extracted by Divine, Amazing, Abounding Grace! Glory!!! Why remember? Remembering should stimulate in believers an attitude of gratitude as well as an attitude of humility as we recall the striking contrast of the before/after pictures presented in the opening verses in Ephesians 2 (see notes Ephesians 2:1; 2:2; 2:3) and later in for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk (present imperative = Command to make this your lifestyle!) as children of light (Eph 5:8-note) (Comment: Here we note that recall motivates right conduct.